Tropical Depression Henry exits PAR; potential super typhoon may enter next week — PAGASA

Tropical Depression Henry, which brought heavy rainfall and gale-force winds to several areas, has exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), according to the state weather bureau on Thursday. It also said a potential super typhoon may enter the PAR next week.

Henry exited the PAR around 8 p.m. on Wednesday and is no longer directly affecting any part of the country, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said during its 5 a.m. press briefing.

As of 8 a.m., Henry was located 760 kilometers west of Bacnotan, La Union, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 70 kph.

After developing into a tropical cyclone on Wednesday morning, Henry prompted the hoisting of Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 and heavy rainfall warnings in several areas of Luzon.

PAGASA said Henry is expected to continue moving farther away from the country’s landmass.

Meanwhile, a new weather disturbance may enter the PAR between July 6 and July 12 and could intensify into a super typhoon, PAGASA said.

“So, it’s possible that by Wednesday or Thursday (next week), it may enter the PAR based on our latest data,” PAGASA weather specialist Leanne Loreto said during the press briefing in mixed English and Filipino.

“We are seeing that it may intensify into typhoon or super typhoon,” she added.

If it enters the PAR, it will be assigned the local name Inday, the country’s ninth tropical cyclone this year.

PAGASA said the potential Inday had already intensified into a tropical storm while still outside the country’s monitoring domain.

As for its forecast track, the system is projected to veer toward the North Philippine Sea, although PAGASA said its trajectory remains highly uncertain.

The weather disturbance is also expected to enhance the southwest monsoon, bringing rains over the western sections of the country.

“Therefore, we can expect rainfall over the western parts of the country from the middle of next week through the weekend,” Ms. Loreto said.

She also urged residents in the western parts of the country to prepare for the possible effects of the potential super typhoon, should it enter the PAR. — Edg Adrian A. Eva